Mir gefaellt es. In German: I like it. Or, melikes, which is what I often say when running across whatever it is that appeals to me: mostly clothes and accessories, but also design in general, food, booze, music, and exploring cities. This blog pretty much exists to just share what I like with you, in hopes that maybe you'll like it, too.

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Sunday, December 8, 2013

Greetings
from the land of snow and cold!Like me,
you’re probably up to your frozen eyelashes in shopping lists for the
holidays.And while it’s so easy to
click your mouse from the comforts of home (especially up here, where our high
temp was -1 degree Fahrenheit yesterday, thus, eyelash issues), there’s a weirdly nice gratification
when you shop in person.It’s even nicer
to drop in on your local merchants.I know
there was Small Business Saturday, right on the heels of Thanksgiving, which
was a telling nod towards the promotion of mom and pop shops nationwide.If we’re going to go cuckoo crazy with the
whole commercialization of Christmas, I like knowing my dollars are going to
both Nordstrom and the gal from down the block.

I’m not sure
about other cities, but Minneapolis (and St. Paul – I love you, too) is
arguably a leader in touting the goods made from ‘round here.And if it’s handcrafted?Even better.In fact, a group called Crafters Local 612 puts on quite an annual event
known as the No Coast Craft-o-Rama.Located in the Midtown Global Market (a homegrown success in its own
right), this two day show is basically a big old Upper Midwest arts and crafts
lovefest, perfectly timed to satisfy the season.Yeah, it’s a bit cozy as you jostle for space
within the tightly packed booths.But if
you want a one-stop shop for unique holiday gifts, this is the place.There’s the cute stuff for babies and those
of us who just like, um, cute stuff.There’s
handmade clothes, found-object fashion, jewelry, and artwork.And a lot of creations shaped into the state
of MN.

Should all of
the crowds and retailing makes you hangry, you’re in luck.The craft bazaar takes place amid the
permanent businesses here in the MGM.Divided into small but welcoming stalls, the array is international,
offering both food and retail. Your tummy can visit East Africa, Mexico, Scandinavia, Asia, and the Middle East in just a few steps. How great is that? A large
seating area sits in the middle of the merry mayhem.During the fair, there was a jazz trio
playing to packed tables of all sorts of people.

Anyway, here
are some pics from this year’s Craft-o-Rama:

The cuteness. The f***** cuteness. As in "felted," potty-mouths ;-)

These guys offer snippets of state landmarks.

While MN took up most of the real estate, I enjoyed seeing

my home state (above) as well as my other home state (TX).

An awesome WI icon photobombs in the top right corner.

I love the ideas here. And I just kinda

like how this picture came out.

Duluth-based The Medium Control got plenty of love

from me last year. Repeat for 2013.

A gorgeous way to look at limnology.

The crowds bask in a late afternoon sunlight

that betrays the sheer frigidness outside.

I swear that as I get older, large gatherings get less appealing. But I'm glad I waded into this sea of craftsanity, and I'm hoping those on my Christmas list are happy about their gifts, too. Which includes me (hey, one for mom, one for me... right?). Here's my little haul:

Because the Cat Video Fest started right here. As for the shirt on

the right... it's just cute.

Also cute. Extra points for those who know what

the pic on the left shows off.

Pint glasses that match my t-shirt!

﻿

Well, my holiday shopping is about done. How about yourself? Did you brave Black Friday or, like me, spend that day in a food coma and pretty much just rest up for the next big meal? (Seriously, I abstained from my favorite sport on that day... shocking, I know.) Are you a fan of hitting up your local crafters for presents? Or do you define that term via the homegrown brewery down the street? Hey, that counts, too.